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heavens

 - 4 dictionary results

heav⋅en

[hev-uhn]
–noun
1. the abode of God, the angels, and the spirits of the righteous after death; the place or state of existence of the blessed after the mortal life.
2. (initial capital letter) Often, Heavens. the celestial powers; God.
3. a metonym for God (used in expressions of emphasis, surprise, etc.): For heaven's sake!
4. heavens,
a. (used interjectionally to express emphasis, surprise, etc.): Heavens, what a cold room!
b. (used with a singular verb) a wooden roof or canopy over the outer stage of an Elizabethan theater.
5. Usually, heavens. the sky, firmament, or expanse of space surrounding the earth.
6. a place or state of supreme happiness: She made his life a heaven on earth.
7. move heaven and earth, to do one's utmost to effect an end; make a supreme effort: She promised to move heaven and earth to be there for our wedding anniversary.

Origin:
bef. 900; ME heven, OE heofon; c. MLG heven; akin to ON himinn, Goth himins, G Himmel


heav⋅en⋅less, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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heav·en   (hěv'ən)   
n.  
  1. The sky or universe as seen from the earth; the firmament. Often used in the plural.

  2. Christianity

    1. often Heaven The abode of God, the angels, and the souls of those who are granted salvation.

    2. An eternal state of communion with God; everlasting bliss.

    3. Heaven God: Heaven help you!

    4. heavens Used in various phrases to express surprise: Good heavens!

  3. Any of the places in or beyond the sky conceived of as domains of divine beings in various religions.

    1. Heaven God: Heaven help you!

    2. heavens Used in various phrases to express surprise: Good heavens!

  4. The celestial powers; the gods. Often used in the plural: The heavens favored the young prince.

  5. A condition or place of great happiness, delight, or pleasure: The lake was heaven.


[Middle English heven, from Old English heofon; see ak- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

heaven (or heavens)

The dwelling place of God, the angels, and the souls of those who have gained salvation; a place of the greatest peace and beauty. (Compare hell.)

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

heaven 
O.E. heofon "home of God," earlier "sky," possibly from P.Gmc. *khemina- (cf. Low Ger. heben, O.N. himinn, Goth. himins, O.Fris. himul, Du. hemel, Ger. Himmel "heaven, sky"), from PIE base *kem-/*kam- "to cover" (cf. chemise). Plural use in sense of "sky" is probably from Ptolemaic theory of space composed of many spheres, but it was also formerly used in the same sense as the singular in Biblical language, as a translation of Heb. pl. shamayim. Heavenly "beautiful, divine" is from 1460, often (though not originally) with reference to the celestial "music of the spheres;" weakened sense of "excellent, enjoyable" is first recorded 1874.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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